Lessons from the Markets, the Ballpark and Life

This is the content of an e-mail I just sent out to all my subscribers:

Another email from Kevin?

You might be thinking, I just finished reading the first one!

I get it, but after the week we’ve all had, especially after what I witnessed at the Tulsa Drillers game last night, I knew I had to send another note your way.

The Drillers were up 11–2 going into the 8th inning. It felt like a sure win. But a combination of pressure, rushed decisions, and errors led to a 12–11 loss.

And it hit me: This happens in our financial lives.

When things are going well, confidence is easy. But when pressure builds — markets drop, headlines scream — it’s easy to panic, abandon the plan, and make emotional decisions that derail long-term success.

The #1 Influence on Your Financial Success

It’s not who’s in office.

It’s not the Federal Reserve.

It’s not interest rates or inflation.

It’s you—your behavior, ability to stay calm, and commitment to the plan during challenging times.

This isn’t just opinion — it’s backed by research. A University of Rhode Island study found that financial behavior — not financial knowledge or economic factors — is the single most important predictor of a person’s long-term financial well-being.

That’s why the work we’ve done together matters. Our strategy isn’t built on guessing what the market will do next — it’s built on your values, goals, and a disciplined approach that we stick to, no matter what.

A Framework for Staying Grounded

We use a simple three-bucket structure to keep your plan grounded and clear:

1. Cash for the next 12 months – protected and ready when needed.
   
    
2. Income for the next 5–10 years – in high-quality bonds, CDs, and money markets. It’s the quiet part of the portfolio, but when markets fall, it’s the part you’re most grateful for.
   
    
3. Growth for the long haul – invested through our collaboration with Asset Dedication, using diversified Dimensional ETFs and Blue Chip Tax-Managed Portfolios.
   
    

What You Can Do Right Now

This isn’t a time to react out of fear — it’s a time to take thoughtful steps forward. Here are a few:

• Put cash to work – With markets 10–15% below recent highs, long-term investors may benefit from deploying sidelined cash.
  
   
• Roth IRA conversions – Converting while values are lower can mean lower taxes now and tax-free growth later.
  
   
• Portfolio rebalancing – Keeps your allocation aligned while buying undervalued assets.
  
   
• Tax-loss harvesting – Capture paper losses to offset gains and reduce your tax bill.
  
   

Why We Talk About Delaying Social Security

One of the most impactful long-term decisions we help clients make is whether (and how long) to delay Social Security:

• Benefits increase by about 8% annually for each year you delay past full retirement age, up to 70.
  
   
• Delaying may boost your spouse’s survivor benefit.
  
   
• It allows your investments more time to recover or grow while using safer buckets for income.
  
   

When the World Doesn’t Go as You’d Hoped

We’ve all had moments when our preferred candidate lost — or someone we distrust took office. It can feel like the future is uncertain or even bleak.

But no one election determines your financial future. Your strategy, your discipline, and your ability to stay focused do. We build your plan to last through many elections, not just one.

A Spiritual Word of Encouragement

For many Christians, this is the season of Lent—a time of reflection, penance, giving, and service—a time to prepare for Easter.

It reminds us: there is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday.

As Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

That’s true in faith. It’s true in life. And it’s true in your financial journey.

Let’s Talk

If you’re feeling uncertain, have questions, or want to take action, let’s connect. Whether you’re a client or simply following along, we’re here for you.

You can schedule a time with me directly here:
👉 Schedule a Call

We are in this together. And I’m honored to walk with you step by step.